The subject of young offenders in our troubled society has been one that has generated many hours of thought and meditation for concerned members. It is felt by many that the change needed in the area of delinquency within the First
Nations culture is to overcome the effects of colonization and this must begin with the youth. It is with the youth that the future of the culture lies. There has been extensive research done in this area and although much of the material is not directed at one specific culture in society, the facts remain that it is a problem that is growing in epidemic proportions. Many of the programs that exist in society today do not address the problems associated with young offenders of specific cultures. Although the trend is moving in a direction that addresses programs for specific cultural groups much more emphasis must be put on these programs. For First Nations youth that are locked into the juvenile system, there must be alternative treatment programs made available that deal with the problems associated with the colonization process that generations of First
Nations people have been subjected to. The process of decolonization will only be achieved through education, understanding, and perseverance, and this can only be achieved by First Nations people working with First Nations people. As indicated earlier much research has been done on the problems associated with young offenders and the current treatment programs. In the following research some of the most recent and important pieces have been used and to eliminate repetition much has been deemed unnecessary.
Bibliography
Cooke, David J., Baldwin, Pamela J., Howison, Jacqueline. (1990). Psychology in Prisons. London: Routledge.
In the second chapter of this book the authors explain in detail the psychology of criminal behavior and how it develops at a young age. Early environment of the adolescent, along with socio-economic status of the young
Bibliography: Cooke, David J., Baldwin, Pamela J., Howison, Jacqueline. (1990). Davidson II, William S., Rednor, Robin,. (1990). Alternative Treatments for Troubled Youth: The Case of Diversion From Griffiths, Curt T., Verdun-Jones, Simon N. (1994). Canadian Criminal Justice. Ottawa, Canada. (1993). Dept. of Justice. Toward Safer Communities: Violent and Repeat Offending by Young People. Ottawa, Canada. (1986). Canadian Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities "Saturday, November 14, 1992." The Young Offenders Act: significant trends for the 90s. Shwartz, Ira M. (1989). (In) Justice For Juveniles: Re-Thinking The Best Interests of The Child